MONTERREY (DIRECTV Liga de las Americas) - The challenge of playing in an international competition stimulated La Unión de Formosa during the Group Phase of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas in Mexicali. As such, at least for that weekend, the team put to the back of its mind the irregularity it had suffered in Argentina's National League, raised its level, and qualified for the Semi-Final Phase of the continental league.

The Argentine National League runner-up will return to Mexico, this time to Monterrey, with the goal of qualifying to the Final4 of the Liga de las Americas.

Forward Facundo Piñero talks about the reality of the team, he accepts that the squad suffers from irregularity, but also states that La Unión has the power to obtain one of the two tickets available for the Final4.

What is La Unión's state of mind for the Semi-Final Phase of the Liga De las Americas?
We are very excited even though we already have a huge number of games played in the National League. But when we get on the court in Monterrey that will be left behind and will not be used as an excuse.

Is adding a third reinforcement player like Christopher Cayole for the LDA a complication for the team?
It is strange, but I don't think it's a complication. It is an abnormal situation, although luckily now he can play in the LDA. The important thing is that these previous weeks helped him get used to the team and now we will count on him, who is very eager to play at the Semi-Final in Monterrey.

What should the team insist on for this Semi-Final Phase?
Something that we did well in Mexicali was the team game and the solidarity that we showed on the court, which made us achieve the objective of qualifying. We have to focus on having a passing game and playing hard defense. Defense must be our engine to reach the Final4.

What do you think of the Semi-Final Group along with Fuerza Regia (MEX), Soles (MEX) and Guaros (VEN)?
Those are three very good teams, although I believe that La Unión can play as equal against all of them. Any group would have been demanding because the eight teams that qualified have a high level. We already know Soles because we played an even game that defined Group A. We know how they play and what we must do to defeat them. Guaros, although not in a competitive pace, has good players and brings the mystique of last year's title. Fuerza Regia is a great team and will become even stronger when playing at home. It will be a difficult group, but if we play well, we can take one of the two tickets to the Final4.

FIBA